Christian metal band Demon Hunter sue Netflix over KPop Demon Hunters

Christian metal band Demon Hunter has filed a lawsuit against streaming giant Netflix over the streaming platform's upcoming film and tour, "Kpop Demon Hunters." The Seattle-based group, which has been active for 25 years, claims that Netflix's project poses a significant threat to their brand and business. In the legal complaint, the band states that Netflix's "almost complete overlap" with their offerings has caused substantial confusion among consumers.

Emails, social media posts, and other instances are cited as proof of this confusion. One example mentioned is a fan who unwittingly spent $500 on tickets for a Demon Hunter concert, believing it to be a children's Kpop show. The lawsuit seeks to stop Netflix from using the "Kpop Demon Hunters" name for recorded music, live performances, and merchandise, as well as to seek unspecified damages.

Demon Hunter registered their trademark for recorded music and merchandise in 2022 and have applied for a trademark for live music. Netflix, on the other hand, has registered "Kpop Demon Hunters" as a trademark for merchandise and has more applications pending. The animated film, which is Netflix's most-watched original title and won awards at the 2026 Golden Globes and Oscars, has since evolved into a global phenomenon with music releases, merchandise, and plans for a live tour starting in 2027.

A sequel and other potential projects, such as a television series and stage musical, are also in development.